On Sunday 13th August Sheringham RNLI held their annual Lifeboat Day. Hundreds of people flocked to the lifeboat station to see the lifeboat demonstrations including a mock rescue of a swimmer (played by Sheringham helmsman Steve Banks) and a joint demonstration involving Sheringham Lifeboat and both of Cromer’s Lifeboats.
There were also displays by the local HM Coastguard team, a tombola with prizes donated by local businesses, a teddy tombola, refreshments stall and a Welly Wanging competition.
At 1pm The Sheringham Shantymen put on a free performance with a collection in the famous RNLI yellow wellies at the end by crewmember Leanne McColm and Sam Farrow and at 3pm the station held their annual lifeboat service with representatives from all of Sheringham’s churches and music provided by the Sheringham Salvation Army band.
One of the stars of the day was Sheringham lad, Elias Fenn, who again had spent the year painting and selling stones to raise money for the RNLI – Elias presented the station with £170 (which including last year’s amazing fundraising effort totalled £300 raised for the RNLI). Sheringham Deputy Senior Helmsman Chris Taylor presented Elias with a book signed by the crew. Chris said ‘Elias’s dedication and commitment to helping the RNLI with his wonderful painted stones is an absolute inspiration. Elias is a huge fan of the RNLI and being a local lad we hope one day that he will join us as part of the crew, he would be a huge asset with his fantastic attitude!’
The total amount raised during for the RNLI during the day was £2535, breaking all previous records.
Long-time supporters of RNLI Sheringham, ‘The Oddfellows Friendly Society’, presented a plaque to commemorate 60 years (1962-2022) of their support to Sheringham which includes the purchase of three lifeboats for Sheringham RNLI station. Former Grand Master of The Oddfellows David Randall presented Sheringham RNLI Chairman Peter Sampson with the plaque.
After the public events were over and the station returned to it’s normal operational state Stephan and Anna Marriott of ‘The Two Lifeboats’ in Sheringham laid on a fantastic barbeque for the crew and their families with the hungry crew feasting on ribs and peri peri chicken. A huge thank you from all of the crew for such a generous gesture.
Sheringham RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian Farrow said of the day ‘We would like to thank the people and the businesses of Sheringham once again for their generous support. This year is the 199th year of the RNLI and with the 200th anniversary next year we have lots of plans to celebrate but it’s going to take some beating to top this fantastic Lifeboat Day.’
